World's First Earth Hour Forest Unveiled in Uganda

Unknown to many, deforestation rates in Uganda have hit a rather impressive figure. Hoping to counteract these massive deforestations, the World Wildlife Fund Uganda now wants to turn this country into the home of the world's first so-called Earth Hour forest.

For those unaware, this year's Earth Hour is set to take place on March 23, at precisely 8.30pm.

Besides asking people to turn off their lights for a mere 60 minutes, the World Wildlife Fund urges those wishing to take part in this Earth Hour campaign to take this time to ponder on the importance of environmental protection.

Furthermore, the organization wishes to mark this year's Earth Hour by planting a total of 500,000 indigenous trees on 2,700 hectares of degraded land in Uganda.

Apparently, both the country's high officials and ordinary folks are ready and willing to join this green-oriented initiative rolled out by the World Wildlife Fund, hence their pledging to do their best to help the organization plant said number of trees.

“Businesses, government officials and individuals are quickly heeding the call and taking up the challenge set by WWF Uganda to reach their 2013 goal.”

“Leading the way is Standard Chartered Bank - Uganda, which has already committed to plant close to 250,000 trees, and the Ugandan Minister of State for Water and Environment who has personally pledged to plant 1,000 trees,” reads the official website for the World Wildlife Fund.

As the organization explains, its idea to plant this Earth Hour forest is part and parcel of its I Will If You Will Campaign, which basically encourages people to take appropriate measures towards safeguarding the environment and encouraging others to do the same.

“We cannot afford to ignore this critical environmental threat we are facing today. So, we are calling upon every individual, business, government agency, friends and family members to join us in planting this new landmark for Uganda’s environment,” commented with respect to this project David Duli, country director, WWF Uganda Country Office.